Self-contained dry cleaning machine



Feb. 16, 1965 e. w. GRAHAM ETAL 3,169,333

SELF-CONTAINED DRY CLEANING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 2. 1962 Feb. 16, 1965 ca. w. GRAHAM ETAL 3,169,

SELF-CONTAINED DRY CLEANING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '58 neon 125009110770 camp: :4:

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United States Patent 3,169,388 SELF-CONTAINED DRY LEANING MAiIHlNE George W. Graham, 1033 S. Hamlin Ave, and Alexander C. Blagoue, 924 S. Crescent Ave., both of Park Ridge, Ill.

Filed Nov. 2, 1962., Ser. No. 235,004 5 Claims. (ill. 68-48) This invention relates to a self-contained dry cleaning machine and more particularly to a dry cleaning machine adapted to be operated with a minimum of trained service. Generally, the dry cleaning machines of this invention are intended to be coin-operated although the machines can be used as self-contained units without the coin actuating starting mechanisms.

In coin-operated dry cleaning machines, clothes or other textile materials are Washed in an agitated washing chamber containing perchlorethylene, or some other liquid cleaning solvent. Generally, the agitation is achieved by tumbling textile material in a perforated cylindrical wash basket which rotates about a horizontal axis. Upon completion of one or of a limited number of Washing cycles, the perchlorethylene or other cleaning solvent be comes dirty and cannot effectively clean additional batches of textile materials without redeposition of dirt from previous batches. The precise number of batches which may be cleaned before the perchlorethylene becomes too dirty for further use depends upon the amount of soil in the batches cleaned and upon the amount of redeposition which can be tolerated.

In the usual dry cleaning machine, the perchlorethylene is periodically checked by an attendant to determine how dirty it is and periodically treated by the attendant to remove the dirt once an undesirable level is reached. The usual cleaning method involves mixing of the dirty perchlorethylene with fullers earth, activated carbon, or some other absorbent material, filtration of the perchlorethylene absorbent mixture and, when necessary, the addi tion of alkaline sweeteners to overcome excessive acidity.

The testing and cleaning of perchlorethylene in coinoperated dry cleaning machines is complicated and requires a full time attendant. To maintain such an attendant in a coin-operated dry cleaning establishment is costly. Furthermore, for small establishments where only one or two dry cleaning machines might be required, the cost of having a full time attendant makes such small use prohibitive.

The present invention provides a self-contained dry cleaning machine which does not require the presence of a full time attendant. It also provides a dry cleaning machine which washes textile materials with crystal clear solvent repeatedly, batch after batch, without requiring attention.

In addition, the present invention provides a security feature in that the discharge valve mechanism controlling flow of solvent from the washing chamber requires actuation to keep the solvent in the chamber. Thus, a power failure during the cycle would normally discharge the solvent from the washing chamber to a safer position.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, there is provided a self-contained dry cleaning machine comprising a washing chamber, delivery means to feed to said washing chamber dry cleaning solvent to wash a batch of clothing, discharge means to remove said cleaning solvent from said washing chamber, means for passing substantially all of said discharged cleaning solvent to a distillation means for evaporation and recondensation thereof and means for returning said recondensed solvent to said delivery means.

The invention will be fully understood from the folice FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of

the sub-assembly comprising the dump valve below the washing chamber of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a detail drawing, showing, in section, the valve mechanism controlling flow from the batch tank and makeup tank; and

FIGURE 5 is a detail drawing, partly in section, showing schematically the control means for ending the reclamation cycle.

In the figures, there is no showing of certain elementsnot directly associated with the system illustrated in the particular figure. Thus, FIGURE 1 which illustrates the solvent cycle, does not show elements which function in the air cycle.

Referring more particularly to the specific embodiment of the apparatus of this invention which is shown in FIGURE 1, washing chamber 11 is adapted to receive a batch of clothing or other textile material through a circular door (not shown) at the front of the machine. Within the washing chamber there is a perforated steel cylindrical Washing basket 12 which rotates on a hori zontal axis at about 36 rpm. during the washing phase of the cycle, driven by a conventional electric motor.

At the initiation of the washing phase of the cycle, approximately five gallons of perchloroethylene, or other cleaning solvent, is dumped into the washing chamber from superimposed batch tank 13 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The amount of cleaning solvent is, of course, governed by the size and capacity of the machine. I

During the washing portion of the cycle the textile material is agitated with the cleaning solvent and additional cleaning ingredients (described more fully below) The surge tank is connected by an orifice 17 at the.

bottom thereof to still 18 which is heated by electrical elements 19. The bottom of thestill is at a level about 3 inches below the bottom of the surge tank so that there is a residue of liquid in .the still when the surge tank becomes empty. The surge tank and still have a common liquid level, with most of the liquid at any one time being in the surge tank because of its greater area, except at the time when the liquid level in the surge tank approaches the bottom. 7

During the Washing phase of the cycle, theliquid residue or bottoms remaining in the still from previous batches (i.e., the liquid below the level of the bottom of the surge tank) is preheated to a temperature approaching the boiling temperature of the solvent. When the solvent in the washing chamber is dumped into the surge tank, a small portion thereof (an amount governed by the relative areas of the surge tank and still) passes into the still and lowers the temperature of the liquid therein somewhat. As the heating elements continue to generate heat, the boiling temperature is reached and solvent is continuously boiled off while the liquid level in I and require other ratios;

* During-the washing portion of the cyle of about five' both the still and the surge tank drops until the bottom of surge ank is reached. At this point, heat to the heating elements of the still is discontinued. The cut-off switch for current to the heating elements may be any liquid level control'device which opens and closes an electrical circuit in response to changes in liquid level in the still.

'The solventrevapo'rated from the still passes upwardly through stack 21 to condenser 22 which contains a cooling coil 23' through'which cold water circulates. Condenser 22 is located at the highest point in the solvent cycle, in order to permit gravity flow throughout the cycle and to obviate the necessity for pumping the solvent.

- The condensed liquid drops into separator 24 where the solvent is separated from Water. Since perchlorethylene is heavier than water, the water drawofi when perchlorethylene is used as the solvent is the higher drawoff 26;

The separation of water from the solvent at the separator is desirable since 'a' small amount of water gets into 7 the solvent because of its presence in the clothing or other textile materials and because a small amount of water is deliberately introduced into the Washing chamber, as

described more fully hereinafter.

Theperchlorethylene drawn ofi from the bottom of theseparator passes through tube 27 to makeup tank 28.

, The solvent passes from makeup tank 28 through the.

normally open orifice 29 into the batch tank 13 where the bottom orifice 31 is normally closed. The operation ofthe valves controlling flow through orifices 29 and 31 is described more fully below in connection with FIG- URE 4. V V 7 There is a special solution tank 32 which is above the makeup tank and which contains all of the materials, other than solvent, which are desired to be used in the washing of the textile materials. The special solution will normally contain a detergent to help loosen the soil,

a fabric softener, a static eliminator, a small amount of water to help loos'e'nwater responsive stains, such as sugar stains, and a small amount of perchlorethylene for re placement of'losses inthe cycle.

' The's'pecial solution liquid passesthrough line 33 and valve 34 to blend with the perchlorethylene passing.-

through orifice-31 and line'36 when the former is: opened by the action of its valve (as described hereinafter).

motor (not shown) which is linked to drive the washing basket through an overridingclutch (not shown).

The extraction portion of the cycle generally lasts about 2 /2 minutes and the extracted liquid passes through dump valve 16 to the surge tank where it mixes with the liquid dumped at the end of the washing portion of the cycle.

'About /2 minute after the beginning of the extraction portion of the cycle, the reclamation portion of the cycle is initiated by the forced passage of heated air through the washing basket and through the textile materials therein. This overlap between the extraction and reclamation portions of the cycle represents one of the novel features of this invention and permits a shortening of the batch tank. Plugging element 37 is designed to plug orifice 31,v while plugging element 33 is designed to plug orifice 29. makes it impossible for orifice 29 and 31 to be plugged at the same time.

Normally rod 38 is urged downwardly by the tension in spring 41,.thereby keeping orifice 31 normally closed. Actuation of solenoid42 at the initial portion of the washing cycle raises Irod 38 against the tension of spring 41.

and opens orifice 31, While sealing orifice 29 by bringing plugging element-s39 to bear against the Walls defining the latter orifice.

The passage of heated air through the washing basket during the reclamation cycle is more readily understood by reference to FIGURE 2, in which reclaiming chamber 43 is situated above washing chamber 11 and is com--- pletely sealed except forthe orifices herein-after named.-

, Air from within chamberv 43 is circulated during the rec- Valve- 34 is a conventional dispensing valve designed to pass ameasurcd quantity of special. solution periodically into the stream of perchlorethylene when the perchlor ethylene is dumped'from'the batch tank to thewashing chamber. a i

In a washing cycle, the clothing or other textile material is loaded'in'to the washing basket through the open door and then the door is closedand the machine isactuated, generally by'the deposit of one or more coins.

Upon actuation of themachine, orifice 31 is opened by.

upward movement of the plugging means 37 mounted on rod 38 (see FIGURE 4)fai1d approximately 5 gallons of ,perchlorethylene or other solvent is dumped into the washing chamber through line 36 while being blended I with about five ounces of special solution passed'into the solvent stream-through. dispensing valve 34. The general ratio of about" one ounce of special solution per gallon of cleaning solvent is satisfactory "in most installations.

Special problems and unusual conditions may require more or less of any of the special solution components minutes the washing'basket rotates, as described above, at about -36 rpm. Upon completion of the washing p'ortion of the cycle, the extraction portion of the cycle begins. During the extraction portion of the cycle the V washing basket rotates at about 450 rpm. to extract as much as possible of the solvent from the textile materials by centrifugal force During the extraction portion of the cyclethe washing basket is driven by an extraction 48 into the Washing chamber.

Jamation portion of the cycle by fair 44 which is driven by motor '46. The direction of air circulation is downwardfrom the fan and past heating coil 47 through orifice through the washing chamber, the washing basket and the clothing therein. to evaporate residual solvent from the clothing. The circulating air, laden with solvent vapors, then passes upwardly through orifice 49 back into the reclaiming chamber.

In thereclairning chamber, lint screen 51 is dis-posed so thatthe solvent laden, air must pass through it twice. Lint screen 51 moves slowly, a fewinches per cycle, and passes 'fromieed roll 52 to takeup roll 53 over rod 54.

There is a perforated steel support'56 disposed behind the lintscreen to support it in its position from rod 54 to takeup roll 53. The slow advance of the lint screen provid'es fresh filtering surfiaces at all times and avoids clogging of the screen;

After passage of the solvent laden air through the lint screen it comes into contact withcooling coils in reclaiming condenser 57 to remove the solvent content thereof. The solvent recovered in condenser 57 passes through orifice 58 and through a tube 59 (-asshown in FIGURE 5), leading to the surge tank.

As liquid condensed from reclaimed vapors passes to the surge tank through line 59, it moves by a liquid sensing device 61. The liquid sensing device is of a type usually used to sense. liquid level and to actuate some mechanism upon the change of liquid level. The device contains a thermostat and an electrical heating element. The heat generated by the electrical heating element is. insuificient to raise the temperature sufiiciently to actuate the thermostat when it is surrounded by liquid, but is suf- The spacing of the plugging elements The heated air circulates ficient to actuate the thermostat when it is surrounded by vapor. Being much denser than vaporous solvent, liquid solvent has a much higher heat capacity per unit volume and, in addition, has a relatively high heat of vaporization so that the presence of liquid in the environment of the liquid sensing device prevents the heat-ing element from raising the temperature of its environment to the temperature necessary to actuate the thermostat.

In the present invention the liquid sensing device, conventionally used to control liquid level, is used to control the duration of the reclaiming portion of the cycle.

The reclaiming portion of the cycle involving the operation of fan 44 and heating coil 47 continues until such time as liquid no longer flows through line 59 and no longer prevents the actuation of the thermostat in the liquid sensing device. Actuation of the thermostat in the liquid sensing device terminates the reclaiming portion of the cycle and initiates the aeration portion of the cycle by opening inlet valve 62 and outlet valve 63 which ordinarily seal passages 64 and 66, respectively, through the machine housing 67 and to the washing chamber.

During the aeration cycle outside air is passed directly through the washing chamber and out of the machine. Aeration of the clothing during this portion of the cycle removes the last traces of solvent therefrom, but solvent losses are minimum due to substantially complete removal of solvent in the reclaiming portion of the cycle.

During the initial portion of the reclaiming cycle which overlaps the terminal portion of the extraction cycle, the washing basket is driven by the extraction motor and the clothing is pressed against the outer surface of the Washing basket by centrifugal force. Upon completion of the extraction cycle the rotation of the washing basket resumes its lower speed of about 36 rpm. and retains the lower speed throughout the remainder of the reclaiming portion of the cycle.

If desired, the speed of rotation of the washing basket may be increased (for example, to about 450 rpm.) every minute or so during the reclamation cycle, for a few seconds each time, and then returned to the usual speed of about 36 r.p.m. The result of this periodic speed-up will be intermittently to apply extra centrifugal force to the textile materials being tumbled in the basket, with the result that those materials will be periodically shaken loose from one another and will not tend to become balled up in the revolving basket. The higher speed is beyond the speed which produces tumbling and is high enough to force the textile materials against the outer wall of the basket by centrifugal force.

The dump valve mechanism, referred to briefly above, is best understood by reference to FIGURE 3, in which orifice 68 at the bottom of washing chamber 11 is normally sealed by plugging means 69 which bears against the walls of the orifice. The plugging means is situated on bar 71, which is suspended from hinge 72 and has counterweight 73 attached thereto on the far side of the hinge. When the washing chamber is empty and there is no liquid pressure therein, the force exerted by counterweight 73 is sufiicient to cause plugging means 69 to bear against the walls defining orifice 68 and seal it.

Situated below bar 71 are a pair of plates 74, of which only one is shown, which have outward flanges 76 presenting inclined surfaces to roller 77 (seen from the end in FIGURE 3), which is mounted at its center on horizontal rod 78. The outer ends of roll 77 are connected to parallel roll 79 by brackets 81. Roll 79 is adapted to ride over the opposite edge of plate 74, which opposite edge has a sharp break in direction at about its midpoint.

Rod 78 is actuated .to the right in FIGURE 3 by solenoid 82 during the washing portion of the cycle. Actuation of the solenoid keeps roll 77 pressed tightly against flanged surfaces 76 and prevents plates 74 from descending, thereby locking plugging element 69 into sealing position.

Upon completion of the washing portion of the cycle,

solenoid 82 is deactuated, causing bar 78 to move to the left in FIGURE 3 to release plates 74 and permit dowrrward movement thereof. At the same time, roll 79 passes over the opposite surface of plates 74 and provides a sharp horizontal impact or kick when it passes over the sharp break in direction of the opposite surface. This sharp impact is translated into a vertical impact on plugging means 69, which serves to break the seal between plugging elernent 69 and the walls of orifice 68 and to initiate the flow of liquid through the orifice.

In order to achieve rapid maximum opening of orifice 68 for rapid dumping and in order to miantain orifice 68 open for a limited period after the completion of dumping (against the normal closing urged by counterweight 73) liquid basket 83 is provided which is suspended from bar 71 by brackets 84. A screen 86 prevents solid matter which might be present in the used solvent from entering basket 83. Screen 86 is inclined for self-cleaning.

Upon the breaking of the seal between plugging elements 69 and orifice 68 and upon slight downward movement of the plugging element, solvent pours into basket 83 to fill it and to act, by its weight upon rod 71 to bring it down more rapidly.

When all of the liquid has passed out of the washing chamber, it is desirable to keep orifice 68 open for an additional period before permitting the force exerted by counterweight 73 to bring the plugging means to its normally closing position. There are small perforations 87 at the bottom of basket 83 which empty it (by gravity, directly into surge tank 14) in the desired period to reduce its weight and permit the plugging means to move upwardly to the normally closing position.

The operation of the machine has been described above in its optimum embodiment involving the completion of the several inventive features therein. It is to be understood, however, that many of the benefits of this invention may be obtained in embodiments which do not incorporate all of the inventive features disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details thereof, except insofar as the same are included in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. A discharge means for a chamber containing a liquid comprising an orifice at the bottom of said chamber, plugging means below said orifice normally urged upward into abutment with the walls of said orifice to seal said orifice with a force less than the force exerted by the pressure of the liquid thereabove, means to releasably hold said plugging means in abutment with the walls of said orifice against said liquid pressure thereabove and means to exert a timed downward force on said plugging means suilicient to overcome said normal upward force.

2. A discharge means for a chamber containing a liquid comprising an orifice at the bottom of said chamber, plugging means below said orifice normally urged upward into abutment with the walls of said orifice to seal said orifice with a force less than the force exerted by the pressure of the liquid thereabove, means to releasably hold said plugging means in abutment with the Walls of said orifice against liquid pressure thereabove, means to exert a timed downward force on said plugging means sufiicient to overcome said normal upward force and means to exert a vertical impact on said plugging means to break the seal between said plugging means and said orifice.

3. The discharge means of claim 2 wherein said plugging means is urged upward by a counterweight and said means to exert a timed downward force is a container immediately below said plugging means, said container having draining means of small cross section whereby said container is slowly emptied of its liquid content.

4. The discharge means of claim 2 wherein an inclined screen is disposed beneath said orifice to remove solid material from said liquid.

5. A se1f-contained dry cleaning machine comprising a washing chamber, delivery means to feed to said washing chamber liquid dry cleaning solvent to wash a'batch of clothing, discharge means to remove said cleaning solvent from said Washing chamber, said discharge means comprising (1) an orifice at the bottom of said washing chamber, (2) plugging means below said orifice nor-' into abutment, with the walls of said orifice against said liquid pressure thereabove, and (4) means to exert a timed downward force on said plugging means sufiicient to overcome said normal upward force, means for passing substantially all of said discharged cleaning solvent to a distillation means for evaporation and recondensation thereof, and means for returning said recondensed solvent to said delivery means.

References Cited in the file of this vpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Silver May 26-, 1936 Balzar Ian. 30, 1917 White May 16, 1933 Edlich 1 Nov. 5, 1935 Hetzer Feb. 9," 1937 Rolkern Mar. 12, 1940 McDonald -1.-- Apr. 23, 1940 Wardwell ,Nov. 14, 1944 Haverstock Aug. 28, 1956 cresw11 1 Oct. 30, 1956 Mowat Apr. 16, 1957 Soucy Feb. 10, 1959 Flick et al. Jan. 17, 1961 Kircher et al Apr. 11, 1961 Cobb et a1. 1. Aug. 22, 1961 smith Oct. 3, 1961 Keisling'et al Dec. 26, 1961 Edwards r l Apr. 17, 1962 Smith et al'. July 24, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 3, 1936 Great Britain -a Mar. 2, 1960, 

1. A DISCHARGE MEANS FOR A CHAMBER CONTAINING A LIQUID COMPRISING AN ORIFICE AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID CHAMBER, PLUGGING MEANS BELOW SAID ORIFICE NORMALLY URGED UPWARD INTO ABUTMENT WITH THE WALLS OF SAID ORIFICE TO SEAL SAID ORIFICE WITH A FORCE LESS THAN THE FORCE EXERTED BY THE PRESSURE OF THE LIQUID THEREABOVE, MEANS TO RELEASABLY HOLD SAID PLUGGING MEANS IN ABUTMENT WITH THE WALLS OF SAID ORIFICE AGAINST SAID LIQUID PRESSURE THEREABOVE AND MEANS TO EXERT A TIMED DOWNWARD FORCE ON SAID PLUGGING MEANS SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME SAID NORMAL UPWARD FORCE,
 5. A SELF-CONTAINED DRY CLEANING MACHINE COMPRISING A WASHING CHAMBER, DELIVERY MEANS T FEED TO SAID WASHING CHAMBER LIQUID DRY CLEANING SOLVENT TO WASH A BATCH OF CLOTHING, DISCHARGE MEANS TO REMOVE SAID CLEANING SOLVENT FROM SAID WASHING CHAMBER, SAID DISCHARGE MEANS COMPRISING (1) AN ORIFICE AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID WASHING CHAMBER, (2) PLUGGING MEANS BELOW SAID ORIFICE NORMALLY URGED UPWARD INTO ABUTMENT WITH THE WALLS OF SAID ORIFICE TO SEAL SAID ORIFICE WITH A FORCE LESS THAN THE FORCE EXERTED BY THE PRESSURE OF THE DRY CLEANING SOLVENT THEREABOVE, (3) MEANS TO RELEASABLY HOLD SAID PLUGGING MEANS INTO ABUTMENT WITH THE WALLS OF SAID ORIFICE AGAINST SAID LIQUID PRESSURE THEREABOVE, AND (4) MEANS TO EXERT A TIMED DOWNWARD FORCE ON SAID PLUGGING MEANS SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME SAID NORMAL UPWARD FORCE, MEANS FOR PASSING SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF SAID DISCHARGED CLEANING SOLVENT TO A DISTILLATION MEANS FOR EVAPORATION AND RECONDENSATION THEREOF, AND MEANS FOR RETURNING SAID RECONDENSED SOLVENT TO SAID DELIVERY MEANS. 